Bearded dragons are omnivores which means that they eat everything. However, it can happen that bearded dragons eat things they shouldn´t and get impacted (constipated). The defecation frequency also depends on the bearded dragon´s diet.
How do I get my bearded dragon to poop? Get your bearded dragon to poop by getting them into a warm bath twice per day. Also, feeding them natural laxatives work very well. The following bathing methods should do:
- 85 and 100 F (29.4 and 37.7 C)
- Fill the sink or tub up to their shoulders
- Gently massage and stroke their belly in a downward motion towards the vent, do this for 10 minutes.
- Feed homemade laxative.
The following list of information will be addressing how to get a bearded dragon to poop:
- The Number of Times Bearded Dragons Poop in a Day
- How often a baby bearded dragon should poop
- The frequency with which a juvenile bearded dragon should poop
- How often an adult bearded dragon should poop
- Peculiar factor across developmental levels of bearded
- My bearded dragon has white and brown poop (i.e. normal poop)
- My bearded dragon’s poop is all white
- The color of my bearded dragon’s poop is yellow
- My bearded dragon has blood in their poop
- My bearded dragon’s poop is runny
- How long a bearded dragon can go without pooping
The Number of Times Bearded Dragons Poop in a Day
There are a few factors that have an impact on the frequency of deposits, for example:
- Age
- Diet
- Environment
- Stress
- Brumation
Environment
It’s very important that there is enough heat and UVB inside the enclosure. As the UVB helps with the digestion of food among other important functions.
The ideal temperature gradients to aim for are:
- Warm area around 80°F – 84°F (26° – 29° degrees C)
- Basking spot that reaches 95°F – 100°F (35° – 39° degrees C)
- Cool, dark area 80°F – 90°F (26° – 32° degrees C)
This allows your dragon to warm up and cool down as you need to.
Keep in mind that your dragon will require at least 10 – 12 hours of UVA and UVB radiation every day.
Stress
If you’ve recently purchased a new bearded dragon. Then, it’s quite normal to not see any poop from them for a couple of weeks. We call this relocation stress.
This can also happen if moving to a new enclosure (upgrade) that they are unfamiliar with.
Once they get comfortable in their new surroundings, they will resume their normal pooping.
Brumation
When a dragon is in brumation (similar to hibernation in mammals), they won’t be eating as much. And so won’t need to pass as much.
Likewise, during this period of around 3 months (this time frame can vary wildly). Your bearded dragon won’t really be interested in much at all. Which catches a lot of new bearded dragon
Age
If you’re not sure how old your bearded dragon is. Then, you can use this as a rough guide:
Length (Inches) = Age (Months)
3-4 in. (7.5cm – 10cm) = 0-1 months
5-9 in. (12cm – 22cm) = 2 months
8-11 in. (20cm – 28cm) = 3 months, etc.
How Often a Baby Bearded Dragon Poop
Expect a healthy baby bearded dragon (0 – 3 months) will go at least once per day (1-3+ times is normal).
How Often a Juvenile Bearded Dragons Poop
Juvenile (Sub-adult) bearded dragons (3 – 18 months) should be going every other day.
How Often an Adult Bearded Dragon poop
An adult bearded dragon going between 1 to 7 times per week is completely normal. But I’ve heard of adult dragons that sit outside of these numbers. As there are variables that influence your bearded dragons pooping habits.
Peculiar Factor Across Developmental Levels of Bearded Dragons
Yes, each dragon will have their own “rhythm” when it comes to this sort of thing. Some dragons will sit way outside of these numbers. But you will get used to your dragons schedule.
My Bearded Dragon Has White and Brown Poop (i.e. Normal Poop)
Often times when a dragon poops, it will be brown and white. This is quite common with reptiles.
The white part is the “urate” (urine) while the brown part is the poo.
Urates are simply the waste products that come from the kidneys. Thus, bearded dragons don’t pee. So urates pass through their gut and come out with their poop.
When a bearded dragon poops. It will typically pass urate and the poo simultaneously.
The white part should be soft, if it is hard and “chalky” then your dragon is dehydrated. Hence, needs more water.
Another sign of dehydration is sunken in eyes thick saliva. If you’re feeding your dragon and you see that their saliva is stringy. You should know that it’s time to give them a drink.
Chronic dehydration could be a sign of something more sinister. Like internal worms leeching water from your poor bearded dragon.
Here are a couple of tips to help your dragon re-hydrate:
- Tip 1: Give daily baths, since dragons can only see moving water. Some bearded dragons will more readily drink from the bath than from their water dish.
- Tip 2: Installing a small water drip or fountain is a good idea. As well since it provides water movement.
My Bearded Dragon’s Poop Is All White
If your dragon’s poop is all white or even runny. It most likely means that your dragon is overly-hydrated. Nevertheless, it is no real concern for alarm, as it is just urine.
My Bearded Dragon Has Yellow Poop
This can come from orange or red fruits or vegetables. Which shows itself in the stool. But it could also mean that your bearded dragon is getting too much calcium.
Hence, pull back on the calcium supplementation and see how it looks.
My Bearded Dragon Has Blood in Their Poop
Seeing blood inside your poor bearded dragon’s stool is an alarming sight. And you may need to address it with the help of a vet. However, it is a good idea to wait for another 2 to 3 poops to see if the stool normalizes.
Blood inside your dragon’s poop could be due to internal bleeding (stomach or intestinal) or constipation. Take a sample just in case you need to take him to the vet.
If it is constipation (or even impaction) look for things like:
- loss of appetite and general lethargy
- not as active (reluctance to move around)
- reject or regurgitate food
- pale in color
- protrusions
- rapid weight loss
- back legs not moving (paralysis)
This could very well mean that there is a blockage inside the intestines. And needs to be dealt with quickly either by using the warm bath method.
If it is a blockage then a warm bath and massage can help free up the rest of the stool inside.
Failing that, then taking them to the herp vet or normal vet.
My Bearded Dragon’s Poop Is Runny
Alright, we’re talking about diarrhea. Which means that your dragon is going frequently and the excrement is runny. As opposed to soft and firm.
The two most common reasons for this is diet and parasites (coccidia for example).
Parasites
Most dragons actually have coccidia. And can live normal lives without needing to be treated.
Most vets will avoid treating parasites. Because the treatment wipes out the entire gut flora. Which are made up of good (and bad) micro-organisms that help fight illness, help digest food. Among other things which are incredibly important to any animal, not just bearded dragons.
However, if coccidia (or another parasite) is the cause. Then you need to address it with immediate effect. Especially, since diarrhea can severely dehydrate and deplete resources in the body.
Diet
Over-hydration will cause runny poop. And this will typically come from feeding your bearded dragon too many water-heavy leafy greens. Try using fibrous plants instead.
Always Look For Patterns
Aside from seeing blood in the stool, try not to make a decision with one instance of an abnormal stool. Wait to see another 2 or 3 to see if the pattern changes.
If you do see blood then it still may be worth waiting an extra day or two to see if it improves. Otherwise, take your bearded dragon straight to the vet.
If this turns into a consistent theme. And happens every time then take your dragon to the vet. To see if there is another possible cause.
How Long a Bearded Dragon can go Without Pooping
Dragons have been known to go longer than a month without pooping. But it’s important to take note of their behaviour.
- are they maintaining weight or are they losing weight?
- are they in brumation?
- also, are the tank temperatures in the ideal ranges?
- are they still active and alert?
- is their eating pattern still regular
If they are acting normally then there is nothing to worry about. But I will admit, this is stressful and hard to keep a cool head. Especially if it’s been more than a week.
If you can’t take it, then take your dragon to the vet. Although I understand that some vets are expensive just for the consultation. So this may not be an option for you.
